Spiritual maturity is one of the most important themes in the New Testament, yet one of the most misunderstood. Many people assume that being a “long-time believer” automatically means being a “mature believer.” But the Bible teaches something very different.
In Hebrews 5:12–14, God gives us a clear and eye-opening definition of what true spiritual maturity is—and what it is not.
Let’s take a closer look.
1. Time in faith ≠ maturity in faith
Hebrews 5:12 opens with a surprising correction:
“Though by this time you ought to be teachers…”
This means:
- They had been believers for a long time,
- Yet they were still not ready to teach or guide others,
- Because their understanding had not grown.
In other words:
You can attend church for years and still remain spiritually immature.
Time alone does not grow us.
The Word does.
2. The difference between “milk” and “solid food”
The passage continues:
- “You need milk, not solid food.”
- “Everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness.”
- “Solid food is for the mature.”
The Bible uses food imagery to describe levels of understanding:
🍼 Milk
- Basic teachings
- Foundational ideas
- Simple faith knowledge
- A believer who cannot yet discern deeply
🍞 Solid food
- The deeper meaning of Scripture
- Understanding God’s will
- Discernment between truth and error
- A believer who is trained, steady, and rooted in the Word
This is not about intelligence.
It is about spiritual training.
3. Real maturity = training your senses through Scripture
Hebrews 5:14 defines the mature as:
“Those who by constant use have trained themselves to discern good and evil.”
Here we see the Biblical formula for maturity:
✔ Constant use of the Word
Not occasionally reading, but regularly feeding on Scripture.
✔ Training your spiritual senses
Applying the Word, reflecting on it, testing what you hear.
✔ Discerning good and evil
Being able to recognize:
- What teaching is from God
- What teaching is human opinion
- What teaching contradicts Scripture
A mature believer not only “knows verses,”
but distinguishes truth from deception.
4. Why this matters today
We live in a time with:
- Countless denominations
- Different doctrines
- Many self-declared teachers
- Confusion even among believers
This is exactly why Hebrews 5 is relevant.
Without discernment, a believer can follow God sincerely…
yet still be led by teachings that are not rooted in Scripture.
The Bible warns repeatedly about:
- False prophets (Matthew 7)
- False apostles (2 Corinthians 11)
- Teachers who twist Scripture (2 Peter 3)
Maturity protects us from deception.
5. Questions to evaluate your own maturity
Ask yourself:
✔ Do I study the Word consistently, not just occasionally?
✔ Can I explain not only what I believe but why?
✔ Can I tell the difference between biblical truth and human tradition?
✔ Do I confirm teachings by checking Scripture myself?
✔ Am I growing in discernment, not just in emotion or habit?
If these things are progressing,
then you are moving from “milk” to “solid food.”
6. God wants every believer to grow
God does not want His children to remain spiritual infants.
He desires believers who:
- Know His will
- Understand His Word
- Discern truth
- Teach others
- Stand firm in faith
- Live according to His righteousness
This is why He gave us Scripture—
so the people of God would be equipped, mature, and discerning.
7. Final encouragement
Spiritual maturity is not an instant miracle.
It is a journey.
But the good news is this:
Anyone who seeks the Word, practices the Word, and discerns through the Word can grow into a mature believer.
Do not be discouraged if you feel like you’re still drinking “milk.”
What matters is your direction, not your starting point.
Keep feeding on Scripture.
Keep training your discernment.
Keep choosing truth.
You will grow.
